Boron Carbide - B4C

Boron Carbide (B4C) is one of the hardest man made materials available. It is produced by high temperature smelting boric acid and carbon materials in electric furnaces. Its theoretic density is 2.52 g.cm3 . The melting point is 2450 ℃，and the microhardness is 4950kgf.mm2. Above 1300°C it is even harder than diamond and cubic boron nitride. It has a 4-point flexural strength of 50,000-70,000 psi and a compressive strength of 414,000 psi, depending on density. Boron Carbide also has a low thermal conductivity (29-67 W/mK) and has electrical resistivity ranging from 0.1-10 ohm-cm.

Applications